Tachybaptus ruficollis

Interesting facts: The only thrush-size little grebe lives hidden usually on small, still waters. It hunts by diving for mostly insects, tadpoles, small crustaceans and fish. It is the smallest grebe in Europe and looks almost like a duckling. It dives immediately when there is danger. In Europe, the species is a really common breeding bird. The nest is built in water or on the ground, or anchored to aquatic plants.

Characteristics: Brownish and beige-coloured summer plumage and chestnut brown and dark-grey mating colours; head red-brown or black, dark crown, mask and lore; red-brown cheeks and side of the neck in mating colours and light brown in summer plumage; short legs with lobed or webbed and conspicuously long toes

Body length: 20 to 30 cm (blackbird length)

Habitat: It broods on meres and ponds, and smaller and larger lakes, also on slow flowing rivers with dense growth on the banks, in the cold season also in towns, on reservoirs and canals